Roberto Mancini’s side does not need a lot of strengthening in the January transfer window, though the Nerazzurri does require a few minor adjustments in order to remain in the hunt for the Scudetto.
Inter Milan find themselves on 36 points after 17 games, just one ahead of both Napoli and Fiorentina in second and three ahead of current champions Juventus, which suggests Mancini already has a talented squad at his disposal. While this is true, some transfer activity is still required in January.
The current window will be more about selling and moving others on in order to abide by Financial Fair Play regulations, yet if there was one area in this Inter side which needs acquisitions, it would be in the middle of midfield.
Internazionale have lacked creativity in this area since the sale of Mateo Kovacic to Real Madrid, and Mancini has often fielded two defensive-midfielders in front of the back-four. A box-to-box midfielder or deep-lying playmaker to go alongside one of the ‘destructors’ in the middle will ensure balance is restored to the side’s midfield.
As well as this, cover in other areas may be needed, though it is not essential at this time given the fact Inter are not competing in a European competition and already have an inflated squad.
Below are five players that Inter Milan should, at the very least, consider this transfer window.
Mohamed El-Nenny (FC Basel) – Central-midfielder
Currently tracked by Arsenal, who are reportedly close to signing the Basel midfielder, El-Nenny would make a fine addition in the middle of midfield alongside one of either Geoffrey Kondogbia, Gary Medel or Felipe Melo.
His box-to-box style of play ensures there would be a link between midfield and attack, while also maintaining the side’s defensive stability. At 23, the Egyptian still has room to grow at a bigger club, yet also boasts plenty of pedigree playing Champions League football with the Swiss champions and being a regular for the Egyptian national team.
Arsenal’s seemingly chronic inability to get transfers over the line may prove helpful if Inter were to join the race for the hard-running midfielder, with El-Nenny also reportedly available on the cheap for just €7 million.
Bertrand Traoré (Chelsea) – Right-winger
Playing in a position that already boasts the quality of players such as Willian, Pedro and Kenedy, Traoré has found it extremely difficult to break into Chelsea’s starting XI this season. Following a stellar 18=months at Vitesse Arnhem, where the Burkina Faso international netted 17 times in 48 appearances, Ajax are hoping to tie up a loan deal to bring the 20-year-old back to Holland.
Mancini, however, could pip the current Eredivisie leaders to the talented attacker and bring him into a side that could use more width. Currently, Inter boasts Ivan Perišic (better on the left) and Jonathan Biabiany as their only senior right-wingers, and Traoré could prove José Mourinho wrong and showcase his immense talent at the San Siro.
The best part about any potential deal is that Inter could take the versatile attacker on loan and decide to purchase him outright at the end of the season, ensuring they do not fail to abide by FFP regulations in 2015-16.
Jonathan Calleri (Boca Juniors) – Striker
The 22-year-old Argentine is one who is already being tracked quite heavily by Inter Milan following a prolific Primera División campaign for the Buenos Aires giants, where he scored 10 and assisted seven in 26 appearances.
With Mancini seemingly falling out with club captain Mauro Icardi, Calleri would be an ideal replacement were the current Nerazzurri No.9 to depart the San Siro. Even if Icardi was to stay (which looks the most likely option at the moment), getting Calleri into the squad would give the coach a different option up front and provide more competition for last season’s joint-top-goalscorer in the league.
With Rodrigo Palacio showing signs of decline and Stevan Jovetic looking to be preferred as a No.10, this transfer would be a useful one in the present and possibly a key one in the near future. Here is what the talented youngster can do.
Nicola Murru (Cagliari) – Left-back
Having gone down to Serie B with Cagliari last season, the young left-back has found game time less difficult to come by in 2015-16 over Italy’s second-tier and has shown why he is still considered a bright prospect of Italian football.
With Alex Telles and the injury prone Dodo (both on loan) Inter’s only recognised left-backs, Murru would provide competition to the currently ever-present Telles and possibly gain a permanent position in the near future.
Purchasing the 21-year-old will require a nominal fee to be paid and could pave the way for the Nerazzurri to allow deadweight such as Yuto Nagatomo off their books.
Giannelli Imbula (FC Porto) – Central-midfielder
A transfer target of Inter’s as recently as August before being snapped up by the Portuguese giants, Imbula is reportedly now unwanted at Porto meaning he is easily available.
A somewhat similar player to El-Nenny in the way he contributes to both defence and attack, the former Marseille man is still highly thought of in the footballing world despite his below par season at the Estádio do Dragão, where he has started just eight league games.
Also capable of operating as a left-back, the 23-year-old’s versatility is likely to attract suitors, though his €25 million price tag will prove to be a major stumbling block for those interested. That should be reduced, however, if Porto are serious about selling the big-bodied midfielder.
What are your thoughts? Let us know by dropping a comment below via our Facebook comment box. Make sure you follow us on Twitter @Outside90 and like us on Facebook.
